I can't say enough ♥

Where to begin...

There's so much I want to say about Pixar's latest masterpiece, Up, but I don't want to ruin the story. Before watching it, I knew very little about the storyline and I'm glad I didn't because it made for a more powerful viewing experience as I left the theatre in a most vulnerable state.

What I can tell you is that it was amazing. The storytelling was incredible right from the start as very little dialogue was needed to capture the essence of the protagonist. I was surprised to find myself in tears so early on. I was also delighted at the use of ephemera and references to mail throughout the movie - two of my favorite things.

Pete Docter, the director of the film, is also known for his work on Monsters, Inc. He worked with Ricky Nierva, production designer (also from Monsters, Inc.) to create the memorable cast of characters. The New York Times ran an interesting article on how the characters of the movie were developed. (Warning: spoilers***) I loved reading about the process and how shapes were used to incorporate elements of each character's personality. "Because Carl is so set in his ways," the article explains, "the designers thought it would be best to represent his features in square shapes, from his face and his glasses down to his fingers and knuckles." It's that kind of detailed thoughtfulness that I appreciated about the movie.

Also, I love that Pixar doesn't sell-out by catering to the dreaded 'princess crowd' that Disney does. They aren't busy shoving this idea of family down the throats of their viewers (and by family, I'm referring to Disney's idea of predominantly white, nuclear, heterosexual and conventional families). I love that Pixar takes chances and doesn't try to protect children from the realities of life. I also love that their stories aren't built around cheesy and useless messages but around the depth of their characters. The movie is accessible to all ages, incredibly fun and still offers room for reflection but not the kind that Disney tries to coerce.

I think I might even like it better than Star Trek but just to be sure, I'm going to another viewing of Star Trek today. ^.^